Calls For More North Yorkshire Volunteers

The work of volunteers is being celebrated across North Yorkshirethis week as part of National Volunteers Week, which is marking the 30^th anniversary of the campaign.

It is estimated that volunteers contribute the equivalent of £42 billion to the British economy and there are over 130,000 charities in England, many of whom rely on volunteers.

Throughout this week the county’s libraries are holding information fairs about volunteering opportunities. 

In addition, volunteers at the North Yorkshire Learning Disability Partnership Board will be given certificates on Friday to mark Volunteers’ Week.

The Learning Disability Partnership Board is a multi-agency group that is led by people with learning disabilities and family carers to make sure the life chances for people with a learning disability are enhanced in line with the key principles outlined in the government white paper Valuing People Now.  

The Learning Disability Partnership Board will recognize the many hours of volunteering carried out by self-advocates and family carers to improve the lives of people who have a learning disability in North Yorkshire.

Indeed, the need for volunteers will become increasingly important across the county as the council plans to make changes necessary to deal with losing a third of its spending power as a result of government funding reductions.

The programme – “2020 North Yorkshire” -  envisages a smaller, more flexible council enabling and supporting communities to deliver for themselves – running more libraries for example; supporting young and older people in many different ways.

“Volunteers are now an integral part of our society,” said County Councillor Clare Wood, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Health and Adult Services, “and we wish to thank them for their efforts.  We all benefit from their energy and commitment and they will become increasingly vital partners in future in support of the services that we provide.”